Maradona apologizes for injuring cameraman

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Argentina coach Diego Maradona, seen before a friendly against Haiti on May 5, ran over a photographer's foot. ((Fotobaires/Associated Press))

Argentina coach Diego Maradona said he's sorry for driving over the foot of a cameraman at the team's training ground on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

A day after the incident, Maradona explained Thursday that as he neared the entrance to the gated complex, his Mini was surrounded by photographers. He said he gave a statement later to the local prosecutor.

Maradona arrived at the training complex on Wednesday to hand over his final list of 23 players who will represent Argentina in the World Cup.

"I was driving down the street," he said. "I'm sorry it happened. I gave a statement to the prosecutor, and I hope everything comes out OK."

The Argentine news agency Noticias Argentinas said the cameraman for local Canal 13 suffered no broken bones and was told to stay off his feet for 72 hours.

Maradona is the object of extreme attention in Argentina, particularly as the World Cup nears. On Wednesday, about 100 cameramen, photographers and reporters camped out at the training complex, even though the player list was released only on the Argentine Football Association's website and Maradona did not speak with reporters.

He is supposed to hold a news conference on Sunday, the day before Argentina plays Canada in a friendly — the team's last before it heads to South Africa on May 28.

Two-time champion Argentina plays in a group in South Africa with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.